LOS ANGELES — Michigan State redshirt freshman Riley Bullough found himself thrust into the spotlight on Sunday morning at the LA Hotel Downtown on account of the trying circumstances of his older brother's suspension.

Max Bullough, the Spartans' two-time captain and two-time All-Big Ten middle linebacker, was suspended on Christmas night for an undisclosed violation of team rules and will not be at the Rose Bowl.

Max Bullough's absence created a void that the No. 4 Spartans (12-1) will be challenged to fill against No. 5 Stanford (11-2) in Wednesday's Rose Bowl, as he called out alignments and checks and was the team's unquestioned leader.

Michigan State will play fifth-year senior Kyler Elsworth and third-year junior Darien Harris in Max Bullough's place at middle linebacker, but for Riley Bullough there's a hole that cannot be filled.

"It's hard knowing he's not going to be here for this week, or for the game, that's the biggest part, I won't see him for while, probably a couple of months — he's going to be somewhere training,'' Riley Bullough said. "I talk to him every day, and guys on the team tell me to tell Max that they are praying for him.''

The reason for Max Bullough's suspension has not been revealed, and Riley Bullough said he could not talk about it.

Riley Bullough said his older brother Max has also turned a corner and is starting to get past it, too.

"It was tough at first, but Max is the kind of guy who can bounce back better than anyone,'' Riley Bullough said. "He's always been like that. He's positive now, he's trying to move on. He's definitely going to be rooting for us.''

Riley Bullough will be on the field with the punt return, punt team and kickoff return units, and he has continued to talk some reps at fullback while also working on defense.

It has been a tough campaign for him, personally, as well since being moved to tailback last spring.

A shoulder injury prevented Riley Bullough from getting a full audition at tailback in fall drills. The decision was made to move him to fullback, where he has seen limited reps, and now he has moved back over to linebacker.

"It's tough, I've moved from tailback, to fullback now back to defense, really what it comes down to is wherever they need me,'' Riley Bullough said. "I think it's good in the end I've played both sides, so I can understand.''